Newsletter

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Community Bank • Mooroolbark

Branch Manager’s reportWelcome to the winter edition of our Community Bank Mooroolbark newsletter for 2020.

It has been well said by many we are experiencing different times this year. The impact of severe bushfires, that thankfully had little direct impact in

our area and of course COVID-19 which in one way, or another has impacted all of us.

Whilst not directly impacted by the bushfires, we were pleased to be part of a highly successful Bendigo Bank donation program run through the branch network as well as the fact that over many years we have provided financial support to three of our local CFA brigades. We are proud and thankful to the local CFA members who bravely fought at the various fire fronts.

COVID-19 has directly impacted all of us but through what has taken place during the past few months we value that we have continued to provide uninterrupted banking services for our customers. We can safely say ‘We are here for you’ and we have provided help to our customers during this time in many numerous ways.

The biggest service impact we have had is restricting the number of Customer Service Officers (tellers) on our counter down from three to a maximum of two. This is due to the 1.5 metres of separation requirement. We have also marked out the floor area in our banking chamber to encourage customers to adhere to the 1.5 metre rule as well as ensuring we can always manage the maximum allowed people in the branch. Rest assured the branch is being appropriately cleaned every night, counters and desks regularly wiped down by staff and our ATM regularly cleaned during the day. Hand sanitiser is available for staff and customers throughout the branch.

Our Board recognises the past few months may have been a financial burden for a lot of the not-for-profit groups we support. Rest assured we will do the best we can to assist these partnered groups where needed and where we are able to help.

August 2020

COVID-19 has brought many challenges to businesses and community interaction. The health and safety for our customers and staff is paramount. Here our Supervisor Tracey assists a customer in applying hand sanitiser.

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As I have said many times, we do what we do within our community due to our customers. The more people who bank with us the more we can give back.

It would be remiss not to recognise and thank our staff who have been wonderful in supporting the Community Bank Mooroolbark and our customers over a period when they would have naturally had some of their own personal concerns. It has only been with the diligence of our team that we have ensured it has been business as usual and that we have been here for those who need us.

I think it would be appropriate to take this opportunity to introduce some of our staff to you.

Rowan AlexanderBranch Manager

Katrina, Jenny and Rowan are have over 35 years, combined lending experience and are here to assist with all your borrowing needs.

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Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 Australian Credit Licence 237879. 1496769-1496768 (07/20)

Welcome from our branch insurance team, pictured from left to right are Julie, Jenny and Tracey, who are here to help with all your insurance needs. We are here to help you especially in these times.

Branch Manager’s report (continued)▲

Knitting and crotchet Blanket ProjectIn May our staff brought up a wonderful idea of doing a project to help out members of those less fortunate in our local community. After management approval we established and kicked off our Blanket Project. The project seeks the assistance of members of our community who are able to knit and/or crochet patches to eventually make up wonderful blankets which will be donated to Jim Fuller House.

We have received great support from our community with many squares and even some blankets returned. We are now turning our attention to and are seeking assistance in assembling those remaining squares into blankets.

Jim Fuller House presently runs a rooming house for elderly males who don’t have accommodation. This is their permanent home. Jim Fuller House have almost finished renovating the old convent at St. Julian Eymard in Mooroolbark which will house mature aged women who could be homeless through no fault of their own.

Finally we would like to thank Mooroolbark Wool and Haberdashery who have provided their guidance and assisted with the donation of wool to get us started.

Impact of COVID-19 to local sporting clubCOVID-19 has had significant impacts to us all. We sought just what the impact of one of the local sporting clubs in our area, the Mooroolbark Football Club.

“Wow, what a last few months we have had. We hope that everyone in the Mooroolbark community has been keeping well and staying safe,” says Scott Dimitriou President MFC. 

The COVID-19 crisis could not have hit at a worse time for a local football club.

“As our club prepared to complete its pre-season training and begin the season proper, everything was swiftly called to a close. Our senior players who had spent all summer working on their fitness and skills were quickly without the ability to train with their teammates and the EFNL season was up in the air. 

“To say it was a difficult time was an understatement. There was plenty of consultation and research to be done before the league made a call on the season, meaning there was a significant period of limbo for our players, committee members and supporters,” says Scott.

Last month, the 2020 EFNL senior season was abandoned. 

Scott commented about this decision: “Our players were devastated, our committee members and supporters also. But it was the right call in the circumstances. The burden on volunteers to manage the heavy restrictions was great, and whether we would have crowds at games or not was a huge unknown. For clubs like ours, crowds are a vital

element to sustaining the club’s operations – we simply couldn’t run without them and their support. 

“Now, our energy turns towards our junior players who will begin their season in coming weeks. They are so excited to be back training and will begin their season  on 26 July.  We’re right behind them.

“I can’t thank the committee of Mooroolbark FC enough for their dedication throughout this unprecedented time and their commitment ensuring we did everything we could to try and get the season going. 

But the biggest thanks must go to our sponsors, and especially Community Bank Mooroolbark for their incredible support over the last few months. Rowan and the team’s unwavering support has not gone unnoticed by our club and supporters and we cannot thank you enough for standing by the club even without the team being on the field. “

Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Full details available on application. Lending criteria apply. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 acts under its own Australian Financial Services Licence number and under an agreement with a range of insurers. (1496769-1496766) (07/20)

Your home loan and insurance all under one roofFind out more. Search Bendigo Bank near me.

Community Bank • Mooroolbark 9726 5388

Whilst the footy has been cancelled the MFC have been busy getting new lights installed ready for next season.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 Australian Credit Licence 237879. (BNPNL0481) (07/20)

Talk to us todayCommunity Bank Mooroolbark

19/66-74 Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark P 9726 5388

bendigobank.com.au/mooroolbark

MooroolbarkCommunityBankBranch

We’re open:9.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday9.00am - 12 noon Saturday

DirectorsPeter McGowan (Chair), Carolyn Geyer (Treasurer), Richard Nicholas (Secretary), David Wright, Richard Higgins, Terry Avery, Tony Wright, Greg Green

Mooroolbark & District Financial Services Limited Shop 19 Mooroolbark Terrace, 66-74 Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark VIC 3138 ABN 45 098 234 354

A local business storyMooroolbark Wool and Haberdashery, now situated in Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark has been open to business for more than 60 years. This makes it one of the longest running retail operations in Mooroolbark. Tony and Brenda McDonald saw an opportunity and purchased the shop in 1992 – over 28 years ago. Although Tony and Brenda remain involved in the business the management side has been passed onto their daughters, Jodie and Aleisha.

This long standing history and connection with our community is something the family members are very proud of. In addition to the shop itself they also have a deep association with many community organisations and community events.

Tony states the business has “moved location three times and has seen many changes in the marketplace for their products and services”. COVID-19 brings another change and challenge for the shop to work through.

Obviously COVID-19 has had an impact on many of our local retailers, for many the changes have had a

negative impact whilst for a few it has opened increased opportunities for the positive. Mooroolbark Wool and Haberdashery has had to adapt quickly as the new stay at home directives has brought new opportunities to retailers that revolve around hobby type activities such as knitting and crocheting. Demand for their products and services has increased with people spending more time at home and realising they want to do more, or they just have more time to delve further into their hobbies. Jodie says the “demand for wool, haberdashery, sewing and craft goods along with board games, jigsaw and other puzzles has also grown. Our courses in craftwork have had to be cancelled but it is great to see people still being active in these times.”

This has brought the business new challenges. Jodie says: “Working with our suppliers is a challenge but we are getting through, with our local mills running 24/7 to meet demand. Our customers have been great and very patient, showing wonderful understanding of the restrictions in place.”

As mentioned earlier the family has a long and dedicated commitment to our community. Tony helped run the Red Earth festival for 20 years and is proud to be a Life Member of Red Earth. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce (now Mooroolbark Traders Association) and along with Brenda they are long standing members of the Mooroolbark Bowls Club.

Jodie continues the community spirit and is on the Mooroolbark Traders Association along with the Committee for the Mooroolbark Train Station redevelopment. Jodie and Aleisha’s enthusiasm for local events has been tempered recently with the necessary cancellation of the Yarra Valley Wool and Handicraft event due to COVID-19.